A man suspected of taking part in the lynching that killed 37-year-old Cláudio Rafael Landeiro was arrested Thursday (20) by Rio de Janeiro’s Civil Police. He was responsible for the initial confrontation with the victim but allegedly did not take part in the beating; the man works as a security guard on the street where the assault began. According to police, the suspect turned himself in "as he realized the net was closing in" as the investigation progressed.
The 12th Police Precinct (Copacabana) is aware of the involvement of three men in the crime. Another security guard, identified as the person who wielded a club, is considered a fugitive, while two delivery workers, whose identities are still unknown, are also suspects.
Security camera footage from Felipe de Oliveira Street shows that the beating lasted more than seven minutes. Landeiro had been accused of stealing a bicycle that, according to his family, belonged to his sister. Relatives told investigators that the victim had mental health disorders.
The assault began on Barata Ribeiro Street, when pedestrians became suspicious of Landeiro standing next to the bicycle and alerted the security guard. Prevented from taking the bicycle, he was beaten and fled to Felipe de Oliveira Street, where he was found and lynched for seven minutes, receiving more than 30 blows with a club. Landeiro died after being admitted to Miguel Couto Hospital.
